Collection: Tuscana

Tuscan type, characterised by bifurcated (and sometimes trifurcated) serifs, originated in the early 19th century. Possibly evolving from 17th-century European Baroque initials or earlier 4th-century lapidary inscriptions, they began to proliferate around 1840 to 1850. The style has no obvious connection to Tuscany; scholar Nicolette Gray suggests the term was coined by Victorian typefounders. Tuscans were versatile: condensed, ultra condensed, extended and decorated styles were carried by many foundries – see, for example, Miller and Richards’ catalogue from c1877 (right). Tuscana is a modern take on five expressions of the form: the basic bifurcated serif, an inlaid (or ‘jewel’) style, hearts, a wood effect, and a ’spike’. These suggest gothic carnivals, Westerns, Victoriana and home-sweet-home hobbycraft right through to Ouija boards and tattoo parlours.